On December 1, 2013, MHC hosted this fabulous band.  Sometimes, the vocalist's prowess is enough to elevate a band from the ranks of their contemporaries.

Their tight-knit lyrics and infectious joy had the audience  stopping whatever they were doing and cock an ear. The band's skill was breath-taking, and it's obvious through their playing that there is nothing they'd rather do more than come together and make music.

Drawing from Americana and early twentieth-century music, Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys firmly place themselves within the continuity of American music without sounding self-conscious, as many of the bands who try to capture this sound do. No -- this is just who they are.

The group's upbeat songwriting and positive ethos towards life is refreshing in this day and age of urban twenty-somethings like myself trying (inexplicably) to compare themselves to Dustbowl farmers during the Depression. Rather than painting Americans as long-suffering and full of grit, Release Your Shrouds reminds us of the relentless optimism that is the aspect of the "American character" that we should keep close to our hearts.

You can learn more about this fine band by visiting their homepage.